What is Epilepsy?

A group of disorders marked by problems in the normal functioning of the brain. These problems can produce seizures, unusual body movements, a loss of consciousness or changes in consciousness, as well as mental problems or problems with the senses.

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What is it like to have Epilepsy?

Common Symptoms Patients' Latest Severity My Current Severity  
Severity
Severe
Moderate
Mild
None
Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) None Mild Moderate Severe
Headaches None Mild Moderate Severe
Memory problems None Mild Moderate Severe
Problems concentrating None Mild Moderate Severe

What do patients take to treat Epilepsy and its symptoms?

Commonly prescribed and frequently used treatments

  Efficacy Overall rating of side effects # of Evaluations
Levetiracetam
(Keppra, Keppra XR)
279
Lamotrigine
(Lamictal ODT Green Titration Kit, Lamictin, Lamictal ODT Orange Titration Kit, Lamictal)
191
Topiramate
(Topamax Sprinkle, Topictal, Toprel, Topamax)
132
Carbamazepine
(Shire Carbamazepine, Hermolepsin retard, Equetro, Carbatrol ER)
126
Phenytoin
(Phenytoin liquid, Dilantin Infatabs, Epamin, Phenytek)
107
Divalproex sodium
(Divalproex sodium ER, Novo-Divalproex, Depakote Sprinkles, Depakote ER)
104
Zonisamide
(Zonegran)
63
Lacosamide
(Vimpat)
60
Oxcarbazepine
(Oleptal, Trileptal)
55
Clonazepam
(DOM-Clonazepam, Paxam, APO Clonazepam, Clonotril)
37
29
Gabapentin
(DOM-Gabapentin, PMS-Gabatentin, APO-Gabapentin, Gabaran)
27
24
Pregabalin
(Lyrica)
24
Lorazepam
(Sandoz Lorazepam, Lorenin, Orfidal, Tranquipam)
22

These charts show data from Epilepsy patients' latest treatment evaluations

Who has Epilepsy at PatientsLikeMe?

<20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+
Current Age
Distribution of females vs. males
Gender
71% Females
29% Males
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom # of patients Proportion
0-19 yrs 2335
20-29 yrs 659
30-39 yrs 390
40-49 yrs 216
50-59 yrs 68
60-69 yrs 21
70+ yrs 4
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status # of patients Proportion
Diagnosed 3634
Not Officially Diagnosed 170

These charts show data from Epilepsy patients who have completed their condition history